The Energon Pub

CBR recently caught up with comic scribe Simon Furman to discuss his highly anticipated Transformers Regeneration One project, a continuation of Marvel's generation one comic series that ended with issue #80. IDW will be offering "Transformers" #80.5 on Free Comic Book Day May 5, 2012. Click here to read the full interview.

"But, as I mentioned, there are a lot of loose ends that never got picked up," Furman continued. "What happened to Megatron, Ratchet, Shockwave and Starscream after the Ark crash-landed on Earth? Was Galvatron destroyed? Did Grimlock ever restore his ability to transform, or is he still stuck in Action Master form? What about the original heads of the Headmasters, still on Nebulos? After the heat of battle abated, what was Optimus Prime's reaction to his wrenching 'back from the dead' moment? We're now aiming to answer all those questions and a whole lot more besides."

The Marvel series began in G1 continuity, but over the course of 80 issues absorbed quite a lot of Transformers lines and evolved the characters in a particular way -- "End of the Road" featured a number of non-Cybertronian allies and villains, and introduced some not-insignificant changes to Optimus Prime himself. Asked whether, in reintroducing the series, he might need to temporarily narrow his focus for accessibility's sake or gradually revisit any essential information as needed, Furman said, "It's not in my nature to scale back or parcel out." "Issue #80.5 will serve both to recap a whole lot of past story (hopefully in a new and interesting/intriguing way) and set the new stuff in motion. But after that, it's full throttle into the new story, with shocks, revelations and action you won't believe," he said. "I intend to waste no time pulling all the big players centre stage, and kicking off the big arcs that will propel the book towards its conclusion in issue #100. There are three big, BIG storylines in issue #81 alone, all of which will re-shape the Regeneration One universe."

The artwork is so, SO bad. God only knows how Andrew Wildman got a job in the first place.

Starscream GaGa wrote:The artwork is so, SO bad. God only knows how Andrew Wildman got a job in the first place.

That's how it should look. Have you read ANY of the G1 comics?

Starscream GaGa wrote:The artwork is so, SO bad. God only knows how Andrew Wildman got a job in the first place.

What are you taking about. Those promo images are amazing.

Also, I saw Jhiaxus, does that mean the G2 series will get a nod? Hope so. Generation 2 is my favorite comic series.

If I'm not mistaken, the G2 comic was supposed to take place in continuity after the G1 comic. Does this new comic fit between G1 and G2 or does it give an alternate conclusion to G1 that is different from that in G2?

Giant Purple Griffin wrote:If I'm not mistaken, the G2 comic was supposed to take place in continuity after the G1 comic. Does this new comic fit between G1 and G2 or does it give an alternate conclusion to G1 that is different from that in G2?

According to Furman, both is possible (even if I don't know how).

Giant Purple Griffin wrote:If I'm not mistaken, the G2 comic was supposed to take place in continuity after the G1 comic. Does this new comic fit between G1 and G2 or does it give an alternate conclusion to G1 that is different from that in G2?

I'm pretty sure that G2 and a crossover with GI-JOE picked up right after G1 ended. I wouldn't mind getting a continuation of G2 though, as it did end on a cliffhanger.

I think Simon Furman said somewhere that this series takes place 20 years after G1, but that G2 still happened. We'll see.

Personally, I love the art. I'm going back to comics just cause of this series!

I cannot wait for this series! Looks fantastic!

Its nice they got Wildman back, but would anyone else like to see some returning artists?

Geoff Senior, which the more loose, flowing stuff he did for Generation2 and the TitanUK issues he graced his presence with would be nice, althout the clean, dynamic stuff he did on MarvelUK was spectacular.

I'd be interested to see if Derek Yaniger would be willing to have a go at a couple of issues, too. His gritty edge he gave the few issues of Generarion2 he did were the reason I bought the comic at all as a kid.

I'd put a shout for Dan Reed, but I know hes very unpopular with other fans. He did produce some lovely art (sometimes) and (I think) he does actual "art" now, so seeing how that interperets into Transformers would be fun

CaSSeTteBOTs45 wrote:

Starscream GaGa wrote:The artwork is so, SO bad. God only knows how Andrew Wildman got a job in the first place.

That's how it should look. Have you read ANY of the G1 comics?

Yes. I have. Andrew Wildman's drawings were terrible back then too. What's your point?

Marvel G1 never had GOOD art, but Wildman was definitely the worst.

I love the preview art work... Wildman and Furman...I am so there.

I only hope I can talk someone in my family into picking the free comic book day issue, since I will be gone when it comes out, I will be set.

Starscream GaGa wrote:The artwork is so, SO bad. God only knows how Andrew Wildman got a job in the first place.

Um...because he was the artist during G1's final run, maybe? Because Furman wanted him on it, perhaps? Because they wanted to maintain some sort of artistic continuity, possibly?

Starscream GaGa wrote:Andrew Wildman's drawings were terrible back then too. What's your point?

The point is that this is how it was drawn back then.

Oh, and before anyone else makes any cracks about the art, I'll say this: if you were born after 2001, this comic run is probably not intended for you anyway, so don't whine if you don't like it.

Chaoslock wrote:According to Furman, both is possible (even if I don't know how).

Slots in between G1 #80 and G2 #1. Easy.

Darth Bombshell wrote:Um...because he was the artist during G1's final run, maybe? Because Furman wanted him on it, perhaps? Because they wanted to maintain some sort of artistic continuity, possibly?

When I say first place, I mean FIRST place. Wildman's art was trash back then to. Nostalgia or not, I don't think anyone with eyes can say he's a good artist.

Darth Bombshell wrote:Oh, and before anyone else makes any cracks about the art, I'll say this: if you were born after 2001, this comic run is probably not intended for you anyway, so don't whine if you don't like it.

I don't think there will be many eleven year olds coming online to complain about a continuation of G1 Marvel, do you?

If they make a TPB release of ReGeneration One, I hope they include #80.5 in it.

Wow they haven't even changed the random sizing of people in the background, that's one BIG Rumble.

Starscream GaGa wrote: Nostalgia or not, I don't think anyone with eyes can say he's a good artist.

I have eyes, and, yes, I would say he's a good artist. In fact, I'd say he's a great artist. Probably in my top 3 of all TF artists.

What are your specific complaints about his art? And who in your opinion is a good artist, so I have some frame of reference or insight into your thinking?

Marvel G1 had nothing but bad art?

Geoff Senior



I'll go on record and say that few comic book artists, never mind just Transformers ones, display the dynamism and skill with layouts that Senior shows.

Andrew Wildman


Maybe not his best work, and I'll admit sometimes, Wildman had his iffy moments, but one the he does brilliantly is detail work - not the "robot made of a million panels with cracks in it" kind of detail, but really cool little things like cogs, levers, wires and stuff in the background.

John Ridgway


Theres nothing I can say about this pic. Its a classic. Yes, he just drew the toys with better proportions, but it really does make Jazz, Mirage and Hound look very alien and very threatening.

Clayface wrote:

Starscream GaGa wrote: Nostalgia or not, I don't think anyone with eyes can say he's a good artist.

I have eyes, and, yes, I would say he's a good artist. In fact, I'd say he's a great artist. Probably in my top 3 of all TF artists.

What are your specific complaints about his art? And who in your opinion is a good artist, so I have some frame of reference or insight into your thinking?

Waste of time. Art is a subjective thing. Each individual is going to get something completely different out of what he/she experiences based on their own personal tastes. However, for one person to say that something is straight up crap is a total load of BS. Just because you don't like it and believe me that is entirely within your right, doesn't mean that the artist sucks. It just means that it isn't something that you would prefer to see. Fine. At least show some respect for what is being attempted and step back and see the big picture, which in this case means stepping back and looking at close to 30 years of TF comic history and all the changes in comic book artistry and production that have happened along the way and then try to show an ounce of respect for said history.
(thus ends my b**ch session)

As one who grew up with (and still has possession of) the original 1984 comic series I'm excited to have this continuation come out. I collected all of the G2 comics, not that that was much of a stretch, and I have to say that I didn't much care for that arc and never considered it a continuation of the original. For me it won't matter where issue 80.5 is "supposed" to slip in. I'll just put it right in back of issue 80 where it belongs and G2 will have it own separate box to reside in. The fact that the artwork is going to stay on par with where they left off, if not backtrack a bit even which is fine by me, just adds a whole other level of coolness to this belated continuation. I'm probably not the only old-schooler who would have to chime in with the same sentiment as Megatron from the '86 movie..."I would have waited an eternity for this..."

T-Macksimus wrote:Waste of time. Art is a subjective thing. Each individual is going to get something completely different out of what he/she experiences based on their own personal tastes. However, for one person to say that something is straight up crap is a total load of BS. Just because you don't like it and believe me that is entirely within your right, doesn't mean that the artist sucks. It just means that it isn't something that you would prefer to see. Fine. At least show some respect for what is being attempted and step back and see the big picture, which in this case means stepping back and looking at close to 30 years of TF comic history and all the changes in comic book artistry and production that have happened along the way and then try to show an ounce of respect for said history.

QFT.

As one who grew up with (and still has possession of) the original 1984 comic series I'm excited to have this continuation come out. I collected all of the G2 comics, not that that was much of a stretch, and I have to say that I didn't much care for that arc and never considered it a continuation of the original. For me it won't matter where issue 80.5 is "supposed" to slip in. I'll just put it right in back of issue 80 where it belongs and G2 will have it own separate box to reside in. The fact that the artwork is going to stay on par with where they left off, if not backtrack a bit even which is fine by me, just adds a whole other level of coolness to this belated continuation. I'm probably not the only old-schooler who would have to chime in with the same sentiment as Megatron from the '86 movie..."I would have waited an eternity for this..."

I also grew up with the originals, however I do count G2 as the continuation of G1. I am looking forward to this very much, and hopefully the TPB will be coming out once the run ends or enough issues are printed. I would like to own this in TPB as I do the rest of the comics.

As for the art, I am not sure if Wildman has done anything for IDW recently, as most IDW art looks horrible to me (you might enjoy it and that's fine) but the preview art shown here actually looks good. I'm optimistic about this and looking forward to it.

AnnaChristine wrote:I'd put a shout for Dan Reed, but I know hes very unpopular with other fans. He did produce some lovely art (sometimes) and (I think) he does actual "art" now, so seeing how that interperets into Transformers would be fun

Nooo, transformers with fangs who resemble melted waxworks keep me awake at night. Please no Dan Reed. I used to have similar opinions on Andy Wildman, but over the years I have learned to appreciate his style more. As another poster said, his attention to datail is great. I'm excited about this series, but I'm guessing that the UK will not get a free comic book day, so I'll probably have to pick this up on eBay for a stupid price

There is so many problems and holes in what Simon Furman has said i don't know where to begin .As anyone who knows me i hate the 21 years in the future already ,and Optimus having his (very familiar ) G1 body ,not his "Action Master " ( in appearance ) body he had in issue #80 .If Prime and Megatron has any type of confrontation ,then there is NO POSSIBLE (No matter your opinions on when the two series took place ) WAY TO CONNECT RG1 to G2 ,don't believe me ,then read G2 (not scan READ ) and tell me this is not one big hole .Now about the art ,i am a big fan BIG FAN of Wildman/Baskerville ,but the art so far looks like some amateur copied there style ,there is none of that detail i came to love from the team .I guess Rumble (Frenzy ? ) decided to grow in the 21 years .Andrew claimed on his blog that IDW sent him some "More Then Meets the Eye" -Profile books from Dreamwave to give him some reference material ,and it shows .I don't know what he used back in the day (i tried to ask on his blog but you know artist) ,but i wish he would go back to his old ways .I feel he has become very lazy ,his other works coming out this year like "Horizon" look awesome ,but i feel his heart is not in to RG1 .I really hate to say this but maybe we (fans that signed the petition ,like me ) should of just let it be ,cause signing it was a big mistake .That Rumble (Frenzy ) is really bugging me ,so is the whole Headmaster thing ,i kind of see what he is getting at (IE - What about the original heads of the Headmasters, still on Nebulos? ) ,yes unanswered ,but yes resolved by The UK Annual from 1988 , -From the TFwiki -"Although it is explained that the Nebulans turn into heads that only resemble the original heads of the Headmaster Autobots, and that the original heads maintain radio contact with their Nebulan partners, the original miniseries never mentions what becomes of the original heads. However, "The Final Conflict" in the 1988 UK annual showed that Fortress Maximus, at least, stored his original head in a chest compartment" -http://tfwiki.net/wiki/Broken_Glass%21 ,plus does anyone care ,and does Fort Max still have his head while Spike (not Galen) is in control .Which brings up one more issue ,i believe that humans will age in the book by what Simon says ,and the character Circuit Smasher (look at one of the pics from the article ) seems to be Circuit Breakers son (does Marvel know ) or did she get a sex change ??? sneaky way to use an other company's character .Well so much for my rant ,i know a lot of people ( included me ) that could of done the continuation better ,we may have the skill ,but we don't have the name SIMON FURMAN .

It's like Halo: Anniversary all over again!

Rodimus Prime wrote:As for the art, I am not sure if Wildman has done anything for IDW recently, as most IDW art looks horrible to me (you might enjoy it and that's fine) but the preview art shown here actually looks good. I'm optimistic about this and looking forward to it.

I'm looking forward to this also. Wildmans last work with idw was the b covers for the first six issues of ongoing two years ago.

Sabrblade wrote:If they make a TPB release of ReGeneration One, I hope they include #80.5 in it.

I don't see why not.

Starscream GaGa wrote:I don't think anyone with eyes can say he's a good artist.

I get the feeling you're comparing his art style to the style of the artists of today. And I ask you...why? Of course he isn't going to look good if you compare his work to the artists of today.

Starscream GaGa wrote:I don't think there will be many eleven year olds coming online to complain about a continuation of G1 Marvel, do you?

No, because, as I said, this comic series isn't going to appeal to them, because it's target audience are people who read the Marvel comic in the late eighties/early ninties and have fond memories of it.